Intragastric balloon for morbid obesity causing chronic gastric dilatation.

We describe the radiographic findings observed in a morbidly obese and diabetic patient with an intragastric air-filled balloon introduced as a therapeutic measure to reduce food intake. The balloon was associated with chronic gastric dilatation and had to be removed 3 months after insertion. However, together with diet and behavioural therapy, it proved effective in reducing body weight and ameliorating glycaemic control. Although rarely used, intragastric balloons for the treatment of morbid obesity are still encountered in radiological practice. Radiologists must be able to recognize them and to understand their complications.

[AIDS: organizational and medico-legal problems]. / AIDS: problemi organizzativi e medico-legali.

The medical imaging of AIDS patients may turn out a major challenge for hospital organization, since the specific problems related to this syndrome in terms of abnormal changes and increased diagnostic burden are to be matched with infection control procedures. Data obtained from 12 radiology departments in Lombardia hospitals where an Infectious Disease Department is present may yield valuable indications about the optimization of resources and how to implement sound cost-benefit measures while taking care of patient needs. Professional exposure to HIV may be substantially reduced by educational and practical measures, whereas strict hygienic standards applied to hospital environment and individual patients are of great value in controlling nosocomial infections in this population of immunodepressed individuals. The growing problem of HIV seropositive health care workers may be positively addressed with a modulated approach combining the contrasting issues of patients safety and non-discriminating job policy.

Postoperative MR follow-up of type A aortic dissection.

OBJECTIVE: We set out to study the efficacy of MRI in the demonstration of residual alterations and postsurgical complications of type A aortic dissection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From October 1988 to December 1990, 28 patients, 18 patients with type I and 10 with type II aortic dissection, underwent MR examinations for postsurgical evaluation. Features evaluated included caliber of the aorta (a) above and (b) below the prosthesis; (c) redissection; (d) persistent intimal flap; (e) presence of abdominal vessels arising from the false lumen; and (f) status of thoracic supraaortic vessels. RESULTS: Five of 28 patients were considered "normal," due to negative results of the assessed parameters. Dilatation of the aorta was found distal to the graft in seven patients and proximal to the graft in two. Redissection was observed in 2 of 28 patients. Residual intimal flap was seen in 15 of 28 patients; the state of false lumen was well identified in 5 patients using only SE images and in 7 of the remaining 10 using phase imaging. In 25 of 28 patients, supraaortic vessels were well evaluated with involvement seen in 2 cases. In the three other patients, adequate identification was not possible. CONCLUSION: We believe MRI is the technique of choice for monitoring the aorta after surgery in aortic dissection to identify alterations and complications and institute suitable therapy.

[New reinforcing screens using rare earth salts. Value in decreasing the incident dose (author's transl)]. / Les nouveaux écrans renforçateurs aux sels de terres rares. Intérêt dans la diminution de la dose incidente

New reinforcing screens using gadolinium oxysulphide make it possible to reduce the dose of X-rays necessary by 2 to 8 times. Loss of definition is appreciable only with the most sensitive combinations and is often compensated for by a decrease in kinetic blurring.